Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan boasts a population of 101. And when Travis Moen is off in Anaheim playing with the Ducks, the village has an even 100 residents. Located 20 miles due north of Swift Current, Stewart Valley is the location of the 3,500-acre family cattle and grain farm run by Brant Moen, Travis's brother. And when Travis returns from his hockey season, he is right in there helping his brother, rising at 5AM and working hard until 4PM, and THEN working out before dinner. The boys are the fourth generation of Moens to run the farm, taking over from their Dad when he died several years ago.

Travis Moen left the family farm at the age of 16 to pursue his hockey dreams in Kelowna with the Rockets of the WHL. Drafted by Calgary Flames in the 2000 draft, Travis made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2003-04. He joined the Ducks in 2005-06, and just completed his second season, proving himself a grinding winger not afraid to work the corners or use his size and strength to create room for his teammates.

After celebrating with the Cup up to 5:00am, Moen insisted on cleaning hockey's ultimate prize when he found out that Anaheim Ducks General Manager Brian Burke would welcome Stanley next. (Mike Bolt/HHOF)

The arrival of the Stanley Cup on July 25 coincided with harvesting on the Moen farm, and there was no opportunity to take much time off for Travis. Nonetheless, it was a special day, so he took the Cup over to the community centre, where over 1,000 fans waited, eager to see the world's greatest trophy and the greatest hockey player to come out of Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan. It was a huge appearance, and for four continuous hours, Moen posed for photographs and signed autographs. Donations were solicited for each photo, with all the money earmarked to put a roof on the local rink.

Later in the afternoon, Travis took the Cup back to the house, where his wife Amy was waiting along with family, friends and a number of cowboys who work the ranch.

The group left and continued the celebration at a local restaurant, enjoying dry ribs out of the bowl of Lord Stanley's trophy, washing them down with a generous supply of refreshments. At 2:30, the party was packed up and continued back at the house until 5:00 that morning.

Happy and exhausted, Travis was reminded who would welcome the Stanley Cup next. "Mr. Burke? Okay, give me that Cup. I want to scrub it until it shines like new!" And he did, even though it was 5:30 in the morning and he had to head back out to work on the farm.

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Anaheim Ducks General Manager Brian Burke (left) & President of Hockey Canada Bob Nicholson (right) gather for a photo with their wives and the Stanley Cup. Burke and Nicholson were teammates in Providence College. (Mike Bolt/HHOF)

Although born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Medina, Minnesota, Brian Burke, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Ducks, received a gleaming Stanley Cup in Penticton, British Columbia on July 26. There was a very special reason for Burke's Penticton request  he was being inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame on July 27 in that city. Joining Brian in this prestigious honour were NHL official Bob Hall and former NHL stars Brett Hull and Dennis Kearns.

Brian made a circuit of visits with the cherished Cup, stopping by a winery and a hockey school, before getting dressed for a cocktail party honouring the Inductees and their families. For the Inductees, it was the beginning of a three-day whirlwind of events that would conclude on Sunday, July 28.

After starring with the Providence College Friars between 1973 and 1977, Brian turned pro with the Springfield Indians, then was part of the Calder Cup championship won by the AHL's Maine Mariners in 1978. After leaving hockey, he earned a law degree at Harvard, and used it back in the hockey business where he represented professional players. BC came into the picture when Brian was named Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the Vancouver Canucks in June 1987. After a brief stay with the Hartford Whalers in 1992-93, Burke took a position as Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations with the NHL in September 1993. He returned to the Canucks as President and General Manager in 1998. During this six-year period, the Canucks enjoyed back-to-back 100-point seasons in 2002-03 and 2003-04. He joined the Ducks in June 2005, and after overhauling the roster, led them to the Stanley Cup last June.

Brian Burke proudly hoists the Stanley Cup. (Mike Bolt/HHOF)

The after-party on the Friday night was at the home of Larry Lund, a Penticton native who spent six seasons playing centre for the Houston Aeros in the WHA. This was not the first visit for the Stanley Cup to Lund's Penticton home  Glen Sather took the Cup there in 1984.

Among many enjoying the celebration was Bob Nicholson, Hockey Canada's president and CEO, who is also a Penticton native and was a teammate of Burke's at Providence College.

On Saturday, July 27, Brian took the Stanley Cup to greet a friend who had lost the use of his lower body after a car accident.

That evening, it was the Induction ceremony for the BC Hockey Hall of Fame, where Brian was passionate about the role of minor hockey in grooming tomorrow's stars and citizens. All four Inductees were proud of their role in advancing hockey in British Columbia.

Burke vowed that he had no intention of taking the Stanley Cup to Vancouver, in spite of his previous ties. Some thought it was a slight at the Canucks, but Brian explained his reasoning. "I don't think it would be very respectful to (Canucks GM) Dave Nonis, who is my best friend." Instead, Brian took the Stanley Cup to Chilliwack, where he is co-owner of the Bruins of the Western Hockey League.

Brian Burke and the Stanley Cup pose with a few of the thousands who lined up to grab photo with the hockey celebrities from noon to three at Cottonwood Mall. (Mike Bolt/HHOF)

Although Chilliwack was buzzing about the upcoming concert featuring rappers Snoop Dogg and Lil Jon at Chilliwack's Popkum Native Reserve on August 18, having Brian Burke arrive in town with the Stanley Cup was H-U-G-E. He was escorted into town in a convertible sports car, with the Stanley Cup traveling right behind in a Mustang convertible.

Thousands lined up to get a picture with Brian and the Stanley Cup at the Cottonwood Mall, and from noon to three, there was no let up in the action. Brian was as busy posing for photographs as he ever is at the trade deadline!

Afterwards, the Ducks' GM took the Stanley Cup to a private party. It was an outstanding weekend for Brian Burke, and an equally exciting time for Penticton and Chilliwack.

The Stanley Cup traveled south to California again on Monday, July 29. Pandemonium reigned as the Stanley Cup attended the United States Surf Open just outside Anaheim. Sean O'Donnell was there representing the Ducks and dude, he was mobbed as he carried the Cup.

Back to the Honda Center, then a visit with massage therapist James Partida, who hosted a Mexican-themed party with the Stanley Cup. Stanley learned a new phrase: "¿Una cerveza, por favor?" 'Nuff said!